Seeing Double

Sorry about the foggy bath picture. The boys weren't being modest in the clearer ones. They are having fun living with each other. Hudson does have a problem sharing his mom. If I hold Bentley you can bet that Hudson will be there in no time with his blanket in tow, climging onto my lap. I'm managing two alright- I mean, I've got an arm for each one. How do you mange three?

Deckin' our Halls

After rearranging the office, Hudson and I put up the Christmas decorations. He loved when I'd plug in any lights, "Wow." After watching me hang ornaments, he picked one up and tried to help me out. I think Brent and I are in for a fun Christmas- now that Hudson is old enough to play along. Christmas is such a magical time for kids.
I must have worn Hudson out because he fell asleep in hisbooster seat eating his lunch. I fed him lunch while I continued decorating. Pretty soon he got really quite. I talked to him, but no response. I had to look twice because I didn't think he could really fall asleep in that position.
I'm glad to have gotten the decorations up since Bentley came to stay with us for a week while Nik and Chod are in Hawaii. I don't imagine I'll get much accomplished with 2 boys. Hudson was excited for Bentley to get here. He tried spoon feeding him dinner tonight- always on the look out for a way to be helpful. For 20 months I think he's a pretty intuitive kid.

Dough Boy

I was responsible for making the rolls for the Hillman Thanksgiving dinner. As usual, Hudson pushed his chair over and kept the bosch company on the countertop. Whenever the lid was opened to add more flour or check on the dough, he would beg for some dough. He loves it. After about an entire roll of dough, I decided I'd better quit feeding him before he became the Pillsbury Dough Boy.

Bah Hambug

Am I the only one that snaps into grinch mode as soon as I hear/see ads soliciting donations for the needy? It's not that I don't want to help others this holiday season, I consider myself a generous and compassionate person. I just feel overwhelmed by all of my "options" for generous and philanthropic giving. Our society seems chock full of needy people. This year I plan on helping those who are truly in need, as for the unmotivated- try standing in the cold and ringing your own dang bell.

New Chest

The chest I'm talking about today are freezers. I am the proud new owner of 2 non-working chest freezers. I couldn't be happier. (I know, it doesn't take much to make me happy.) The reason I am so excited is because I now have some food storage space without it taking over our office. It is a great solution for big, bulky dry goods because it's 100% mouse proof and the extra insulation buffers against the extreme outside conditions, since ours freezers have to be in a shed. No worries, my canned foods still live in our office closet. I don't expect it to deal with the freezing temperatures.

Who says you have to have an exciting life to blog about?

The Writing on the Wall

Hudson has really enoyed drawing in his notebook lately. I decided he could be premoted from the ballpoint pen to a crayon. I knew I shouldn't have done it. I knew what was going to happen. After getting his notebook and crayon I hopped in the shower. I got out to magenta scribbles all over my wall and window sill in the entry way. But how can you get mad at a kid whose Mom gave him the crayon in the first place and then left him unsupervised? Totally my fault. After my google search, I took some baking soda and toothpaste to it. With a little elbow grease, it quickly disappeared. And then I remembered I should have tried my magic eraser. Oh well, I imagine I might have another opportunity to try its magic.

Like I say, this crayon scribble shouldn't have come as much of a surprise since the surprise came last week. Hudson snuck a green crayon out of the restaurant. I put him in his carseat while Brent and I visited with his sister and brother-in-law. When I peeked in to check on Hudson, the thighs of his khaki pants were green. I didn't know crayon colored so well on fabric. I'm not as successful with crayon removal from fabric as I am from walls. I'm up for any suggestions.

It Once Was Lost. . .

About 4 months ago Brent realized that he no longer had his wallet. He looked everywhere and to no avail. No biggie, who really needs a wallet anyway? I could pay whenever we went out for dinner, buy the groceries, and pay all the bills. Life was just fine without it. Well, up until about 3 weeks ago. Brent decided he'd like to have some buying power so he cancelled his cards and had them reissued. And then it was time to vote. You need a license for that. So $30 bucks for a new one. I was on the verge of buying him a new wallet to put his new cards in when Nik and I went to Idaho Falls.

The boys fell asleep in the car, so we'd take turns sitting in the car while the other went into a store. While Nik was in Roberts I decided to look for a spare diaper I remember putting in the jockey box (for those of you not hicks- refined people call them glove compartment boxes.) I open it up and what do I spot in the corner. . . that's right the lost wallet and two check books. I continued digging and found the spare key for the car. That will be nice to have since I have a record of locking my keys in the car. (The cops will dispatch a locksmith for free if you happen to have your child in the car although I don't recommend it.)

So for the jockey box being small, it sure was good at keeping the wallet and key hidden for a long time. What once was lost, now is found.

Give your Daddy a holla and eat squash for Dessert

Lately when I ask Hudson to go and get Brent, he'll turn his head a bellow "Daaaauuu" in his deepest and most manly voice. Must be a guy thing. It doesn't matter where Brent is in relation to Hudson, he lets out a big holla for his daddy.

On another note, we were just sitting down to eat dinner. Brent heard the microwave beep so he got up to get what ever was in it. He opened it up and asked if I wanted the squash out for dinner. I said, "nope, it's for dessert." That's right, I made one of my favorite desserts today. It's one of my favorites because any dessert that includes squash has got to be healthy so you can eat twice, or three times as much.
It's actually a recipe for pumpkin crisp, but I substitute the pumpkin with my garden grown squash. It's easy to make and oh so yummy. . . so go ahead make it today. My Aunt Maren makes something like it. I originally got the recipe from her but I lost it somewhere so here's what I do now.
Pumpkin Pie Crisp
2 c. pumpkin
1 T pumpkin pie spice
1 cup sugar
3 eggs
1 can evaporate milk
mix thoroughly and pour in a 9X13 pan
top with 1 white cake mix
drizzle 1 1/4 cubes melted butter over mix and top with 1 c. chopped nuts
Bake for 1 hour at 350. Enjoy!!

Roundin' Up

Yesterday we had to go up to Zitlau's to bring the cows home. (This is the guest ranch Hudson and I got to hang out at while Brent baled their hay.) I decided that Hudson and I would go since I found him a little pair of Carhart bibs at DI and they needed to make their big debut. We weren't much help since it was cold and snowing, but he was the cutest bundled buckaroo there. He was also pretty content to play in the pickup while I helped sort cows.

When we got home, Hudson continued the round up. He saw a spider scuddling across our kitchen floor, so he picked it up and rolled it around in his fingers before throwing it away. We had one of those big, fat, sleepy flies on our hearth. After pointing it out to Hudson, he ran over and picked it up for disposal. He's quite the little bug catcher. Hopefully he won't try this with any of the stray yellow jackets that occassionally make it into our home.

Bear Lake or Bust

When Brent told me that Robert Jensen had reserved their condo in Bear Lake for us this past week I was kind of annoyed. What is there to do in Bear Lake this time of year? And then I realized the sheer genius behind that. There is nothing to do there this time of year, so we'd have to take it easy in celebration of the finally complete harvest.
Despite not having much to do, we had a lot of fun. There was an indoor pool with a separate kiddie pool which Hudson loved. (One little side note: On occassion Hudson would swallow some water and choke/gag. When he did this I would pick him up and set him out of the pool for a minute. During one such episodes, he grabbed my face and gave me the sweetest kiss in between his coughs and struggle for breath. He seemed to be saying, "If I don't make it through this, here's a kiss." Too cute.) We made it to the lake on Wednesday before the weather turned off cold and snowy. Hudson went splashing out through the water. I think he would really enjoy it in the summer. On top of that, we watched a total of 6 movies- even more surprising- I stayed awake for all but one.
All in all, our family vacation to "There is nothing to do Bear Lake" was a success.

Growling at Frogs

So it's a good thing that I have Hudson, otherwise I'd have no subject for blogging. Yesterday we went to the library- (for any of you that haven't heard- I love the North Bingham County Library.) Hudson isn't much of a follower, he wanders. So the entire time into the library I'm coaxing him to follow me. Once inside the doors, he notices a display case containing lots of frogs- stuffed ones, glass ones, all kinds. He gets down on all fours and starts growling at them. After his growling stint, he manages to find a step stool and pushes it up and down the aisles. I'm sure they dread our visits.

When Hudson is riding in the car, he's become very good at entertaining himself. As a matter of fact, he entertains everyone in the car. Lately he spontaneously bursts into laughter- weird laughs that crack me up. He also will tense up his neck muscles and make he entire head shake. I hope it causes no permanent damage. Somehow he even manages to smile while he's doing it.

That's not the end of Hudson's talent. Last night he decided to run around with his arms held back (like Superman or something.) It occassionally threw him off balance and he would tumble onto his head, like a poorly executed sommersault. He also found a new use for a little drawsting bag that we keep some of his toy pieces in. He puts it on his hand and uses it like a glove, fascinated by the movement of the mysterious hand.
Kids. . . what fun.

Candy Apple Red

Grandpa Parish heard that Hudson and I were in Burley, so he hopped in his little Caddy and came on out. He whipped in the drive way in his candy apple red Cadillac. It's quite the ride, a step up from his old Blue and White Lightning. It sounds like he never stays home because the car "is just so fun to drive, it practically drives itself." We had a fun visit with him. He said Bentley and Hudson sure look a lot a like, yeah. . . like they're both boys. And of course they're both going to be great athletes. Grandpa says that "every day he's getting older and weaker," but he still manages to make it to his grandkid's ball games. I think it's cute he got this fancy little car, he seems quite proud of it.

Candy for Bob

Hudson was Bob the Builder for Halloween. SURPRISE! He had a little tool belt, plastic tools, hard hat, and gloves. We had to bundle up for our ward's Trunk or Treat, but he was a trooper. It didn't take him long to get into the candy thing. He'd make sure to grab extra pieces out of the bowl for his Dad. He made a haul. I even got him to share a few pieces with me. I think he's confused, he says "Bob" while he points to his candy. Now Bob is synomous for candy.

Looks Like Fall

Here are a few pictures of Hudson this fall. Sorry it's taken so long to get them up. Enjoy!

World's Cutest Scarecrow

How's that for the cutest scarecrow ever? Hudson begged me out of my gloves so he could play in the corn. I can't help but laugh when I see him wearing them around. He thinks he is so grown up. Little does he realize how big the gloves are on his little hands.

I Am THANKFUL Each Day

I bought Hudson a new book by the afore mentioned title. I feel thankful. Today was a beautiful autumn day. The sun was warm and the wind was still. The leaves on my trees are starting to give up and gently fall to the ground. Hudson and I decided we had better enjoy being outside before we are driven inside by winter. We played in the sandbox and cleaned up my flower beds. We watched as they thrashed the corn field directly west of our house. It looks and feels like fall.

I talked to Mom this afternoon. She sounded good. She has been getting up and walking around the nurse's station now that they have removed her IV's. She is still in the ICU, but they're going to sneak her into the women nurse's locker room for a shower tonight. I think that will make her thankful too. They have been cutting her back on morphine, but she isn't in as much pain. She is still tired, but that is probably a good thing. Instead of going crazy, she just wants to sleep.

The Phone Call

I was in my pajamas, ready to head to bed when I got a phone call from Dad. He told me how mom and him went in to watch Tameka perform at half time with the marching band when Mom got violently ill. He rushed her to to ER. They discovered that she had blood on her brain and was life flighted to LDS Hospital in Salt Lake. That was all the information I got. After a phone call to Nik we packed, ripped Hudson out of his crib and were on our way to SLC. After the initial shock and scare of the phone call I didn't spend much time considering all of the possible what ifs. Instead I had a peaceful feeling like everything would be alright.

We rolled into SLC around 2:30 a.m. Mom was still having tests ran, so we went with the Stephens to Crystal Inn for a few hours of sleep. That morning we learned that the bleeding had stopped. Dad, Nik, and I went to visit Mom that morning. She was still in pain and very tired. They had her in the shock and trauma ICU so that they could continue to monitor her. The doctor is being very cautious as complications are still a possibility. The brain will be able to get rid of the blood (since it makes 2 cups of fluid a day that is drained through the ventricles into the spinal cord where it is absorbed into the body.) They are just worried that any clots from the blood could cause a blockage. Mom will have to stay in the ICU for awhile longer while they continue to monitor her but we are all very optimistic. Despite being very tired and her painful headache, she is doing well.

It's amazing how a single phone call can realign all of your priorities in a hurry. All of our family was together for the weekend to support Mom. Of course, we can't all be together without having a little fun. We celebrated Tameka's 18th birthday (a day late) at Hire's Big H. Saturday night we (Dad, Nikkala, Chod, Bentley, Deidra, Chris, Tameka, Brent, Hudson and I) all spent the night in one motel room. You counted right, ten people in a 2 queen room. None of us really knew what the day would bring, so we hung out in Dad and Tameka's room which conveniently turned into OUR room. I was quite impressed with our ingenuity. Chris and Deidra had brought their air mattress. Tameka found the stash of cots and "jacked" 2 for Dad and her. The little boys slept in the pac n' plays provided and the Stephens and Hillmans took the beds. We all slept well. Bentley occassionally reminded us that he was still there but there wasn't even much snoring. I enjoyed the time we were all able to spend together.

I feel very blessed for Mom to be recovering and doing so well. The entire incident reminds me that life is fragile. Tomorrow might be too late to say "I'm sorry" or "I love you." I thank God for life-- my family's lives, my friends' lives, and my life. I hope not to ever take life for granted.

Hudson the Helper

Lately Hudson has been a big fan of Bob the Builder, so much so that I'm making him be Bob for Halloween. As soon as he hears the music, "Can we fix it?" he starts into his hilarious dance moves (thank you Uncle Chris.) He has a little tool belt and some plastic tools. The other night he was down under his crib trying to tighten some bolts and realign the railing with whacks of his hammer. He walks around the house looking for things he can tighten with his screw driver. Most of his toys have been worked over as well.

The other day, Brent was under the header of the chopper making some repairs when Hudson walks up. He squats down so he can peek under to get a better idea of what's going on. Before long he's handing Brent some wrenches (but onl y after he's done his share of tampering with any visible nuts or bolts) and pounding on things with the hammer. Oh yeah, I almost forgot. He's also been obsessed with gloves lately. While we've been cleaning up our garden, he insists on wearing gloves like me. It doesn't matter that they're way too big, he still tries to pick things up while he's wearing them. So of course, the entire time he's helping Brent, he's wearing the gloves he took from Brent- must run in the family because Brent got the gloves from me.

Yesterday before we left to go over to Grandma's to play with the Western kids, Hudson insisted that he have some gloves before we walked out of the door. (He now has a little pair of terry cloth gloves that Grandma gave him.) It's a good thing he had them on because they were all cleaning up leaves and working in the yard. Without hesitation, Hudson runs over and starts pitching in. He handed Dalton branches so he could put them in the burning barrel. Hudson also drug a leaf rake around for a good part of the day.

The highlight of his day was being able to ride with Daddy in the tractor when he went to bale. Hudson had been begging to get in the tractor all day. It's fun to see him be so excited about helping out. He really is Hudson the helper. Can he fix it-- YES he can!

Big Sigh

We are finished chopping corn!! Well . . . almost. Brent agreed to do 3o acres for this guy but then we should done. What's another 30 acres after 1400 acres? Corn harvest turned into being a full time job that demanded lots of overtime. We worked a lot of 12-14 hour days. In the past I haven't noticed the long hours, but it was really hard for me this year. I think it's because I didn't take Hudson in the truck with me (it would have been torture for both of us.) Many nights I'd pick him up from Nikkala's or Grandma's after he'd already gone to sleep and return him shortly after I'd wake him up in the morning. I don't know how working moms do it. You get home from a long day of work and come home hungry to a filthy house. There were days that my only goal once I got home was to make sure Brent and I both had clean pants for the next day.
It's too bad that farm work is all or nothing. I thought I might get away with working part time this year. . . HA! It's not the truck driving, getting dirty, or even the bathroom break in the corn field that I mind. It the long hours that prevent me from being a mom and a wife. During harvest Brent has added pressure and is always stressed out trying to manage the business from his seat in the chopper. Add to the mix a tired Karisa who doesn't get to be a mom and you've got a recipe for disaster. I've informed Brent that I will be the lunch lady next year. I can't think of a better job. When you're in the truck, any warm food that you haven't packed around in your lunch box all day is a godsend.
Now if we can just finish up this high moisture corn and get all of 4th crop put up and we will be in good shape. Maybe Brent will be able to eat dinner with us one of these days.

Lawnmower Naps

From the time that Hudson was tiny, I'd have him ride with me while I mowed the lawn. I remember bundling him up in his Snugli and zipping my jacket over him. He still likes to ride with me for the hour and a half it takes me to mow the lawn. For the most part he's pretty good about riding the entire time. Once and awhile he wants off to go and play in his sandbox. Today he came running as soon as he heard the mower. I put him on my lap. Pretty soon he was standing in front of me and steering. That only lasted a minute before he wanted back on my lap. Then he wanted to turn around. Before long he started to get heavy and his head started to bobble all over. Sure enough, he had managed to fall asleep. The first time he ever fell asleep on the mower, I tried taking him in to his crib because it's pretty hard to hold on to a sleeping baby and steer at the same time. No use, he just woke up screaming. I tried again another day with the same outcome. So today I just pulled him closer and enjoyed the warmth of the fall sun. All too soon he'll be too big to sit on my lap and won't want anything to do with mowing the lawn.